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16 March, 2005 |
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Attack on women's march highlights Turkish human rights record On Tuesday 8 March, women all around the world demonstrated, congregated and celebrated International Women's Day. In every other country in Europe, the day was marked by token government and media gestures; nothing too dangerous or exciting. However, it was on the fringes of that so-called Europe that something very wrong happened: police, armed with truncheons and tear gas, charged a crowd of about 100 people who refused to disperse after an International Women's Day protest in Istanbul, Turkey, on Sunday 6 March. Ferris welcomes statement from Castlerea POWs Sinn Féin TD for Kerry North, Martin Ferris welcomed last Sunday afternoon's statement from Castlerea prisoners Kevin Walsh, Pearse McCauley, Jeremiah Sheehy and Michael O'Neill. The men, convicted in relation to the 1996 killing of Garda Jerry McCabe, stated that they do not want their release to be part of any further negotiations with the Irish Government because the cause of peace is too important for their case to be used as an obstacle to negotiations. Anger as sanctions are imposed on SF MPs Sinn Féin says the British Government's decision to impose sanctions on the party is undemocratic. British Direct Ruler Paul Murphy announced the decision to strip the party's four MPs of up to £440,000 on Thursday 10 March, following the report from the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) which held the IRA responsible for robbing the Northern Bank in December. Families express dismay at new generation of plastic bullets Clara Reilly, Chairperson of Relatives for Justice, has expressed the dismay of families bereaved as a result of the use of plastic bullets at news that Hugh Orde is purchasing a new generation of plastic bullets without the approval of the police board. The use of plastic bullets has proved to be one of the most controversial aspects of policing in the North, writes An Phoblacht's JENNIFER WILLIAMS, who spoke to Clara Reilly of the United Campaign Against Plastic Bullets (UCAPB) about some of the deaths and horrific injuries inflicted on people by the crown forces using the lethal projectiles. Bearing witness to criminalisation - By Eoin O'Broin 
On Friday 10 March, I travelled to Madrid to testify for the defence in what must be one of Europe's most controversial legal trials. Known as the Macro Sumario 18-98, the legal case is part on a long running attempt by the Spanish Government and judiciary to criminalise Basque political, social, youth, language and business organisations. The case also includes indictments against two newspapers, a magazine and a number of journalists. Photo: A solidarity picket in Belfast, just one of many across Ireland and Europe last Saturday 
On Thursday 3 March, a delegation from the US-based Irish Northern Aid met in West Belfast with Clara Reilly and Jim McCabe of the United Campaign Against Plastic Bullets. Reilly and McCabe briefed the American visitors on the history of rubber and plastic bullets and told how, despite British claims that it is a non-lethal weapon, the projectiles have been responsible for the deaths of 17 people - seven of whom were children. Photo: Jim McCabe, Clara Reilly and Irish Northern Aid visitors Brooke Murphy, Chuck Beech and Candace Collins Sacrificing the few to save the many 
"The Travers Report is a massive indictment of successive governments and successive ministers for health since 1976." So said Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin last week in his statement to the Dáil on what has become affectionately known as the 'Travesty' report. O'Hara case shows dire need for autism services The return of the O'Hara children to their parents in County Meath has been welcomed by Sinn Féin spokesperson on Health and Children, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD. After the five children, four of them with autism, were taken into care, Ó Caoláin raised the issue in the Dáil and highlighted the fact that many families were now living in fear of such a scenario, because the lack of services means families are struggling to cope. Wexford Sinn Féin reselects Dwyer 
A packed selection convention in Enniscorthy, attended by Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams and chaired by Mary Lou McDonald MEP, last month saw Wexford County Councillor John Dwyer selected as the party's candidate to contest the next general election in Wexford. Photo: Councillor John Dwyer Two-tier Ireland - Tax, childcare and education policies favour the rich So which Ireland do you live in? Are you a single male with parents from a professional family or just a high income earner? Well then, the chances are that you can benefit from living in the better of the two Irelands on this island today. However, if you are a woman, married with children, you might have to settle for a considerably less comfortable existence. 
While admitting there was no doubt that the Sinn Féin vote had increased, Labour leader Pat Rabbitte bemoaned, "I don't know what that says about us as a people". Photo: Joe Reilly's performance put him in with a great chance of joining the party's team of TDs in the next general election Nationalist anger as PSNI block marathon route Nationalists, angry at the decision by the Belfast City Marathon Committee to drop the West Belfast section from this year's race, say the group bowed to PSNI pressure. "Numbers 120, 121, 123, 124, not 125, and the rest to 130," called local party activist Sinéad Maguire to the small group of Sinn Féin canvassers knocking doors in the dark last Friday night. 
With the Údaras Na Gaeltacht elections little over three weeks away, candidates contesting the election are on the campaign trail drumming up support. Sinn Féin's Údaras candidate in Donegal, Gráinne Mhic Géidigh, travelled to Letterkenny on Friday to lodge her nomination papers. Photo: Gráinne Mhic Géidigh hands in her nomination papers Newry and Mourne objects to incinerator 
Newry and Mourne District Council has objected in the strongest terms to the planned incinerator for Carronstown near Drogheda. Earlier this month, Environmental Department Director Hugh O'Neill and Sinn Féin Councillor Pat McGinn made a presentation at the official hearing of objectors in the Boyne Valley Hotel. Photo: Pat McGinn makes his presentation Loyalists plan another contentious march Two weeks after it broke a Parades Commission determination on the Whitewell Road, the UDA-aligned North Belfast Whitewell Defenders Flute Band has again applied to parade along the contested route, including the nationalist Whitewell Road. 
This year's Ard Fheis credited the importance of An Phoblacht today in the Republican family. The session was introduced by Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD, who spoke of the importance of having our own paper. Photo: An Phoblacht general manager Albert Kane Service charges debate stirs Ard Fheis 
Over 30 motions were taken during the wideranging Environment, Local Govern-ment, Energy and Natural Resources debate on the first evening of the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis. The debate saw the Ard Chomhairle seek approval for the proposed Towards Zero Waste policy document and a thoughtful debate on tactics and principles around the controversial issue of bin charges. Photo: James O'Sullivan from Waterford Ógra to remember foundation of Sinn Féin 
On Saturday 19 March, Ógra Shinn Féin will mark the 100th Anniversary of the formation of Sinn Féin by planting a liberty tree in the Tyrone Garden of Remembrance in Carrickmore. It is the second such event in West Tyrone Sinn Féin's calendar in the local area. Photo: The recently formed Tyrone Pikemen Association Dunloy hosts successful Question Time Debate Sinn Féin held a very successful Question-Time style event in Dunloy earlier this month as part of the party's Céad Bliain centenary celebrations, entitled Am Ceist. Volunteer Mick Murray remembered On Sunday 13 March, family, friends and fellow comrades gathered to pay their tributes to Mick Murray at his last resting place close to the little village of Clonmellon in County Westmeath. 
Sinn Féin activist and Belfast community stalwart Pat O'Hare died suddenly on 3 February 2005 in London, where he had travelled to see his beloved Arsenal play Manchester United. In his early 50s, Pat's sudden death was not just a shock to his family but to his many friends in the republican family and in the Westrock/Whiterock area, where he worked so hard on behalf of his community. Photo: Pat O'Hare |
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